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Posted by Thomas D. Horne, FF EMT on September 17, 2006, 12:18 am
Eigenvector wrote:
>> Eigenvector wrote:
>>>> I doubt very very much that job would take 27 hours of work. I am far
>>>> from an expert, but based on electrical work that I have had done, I
>>>> would
>>>> think that "ballpark" time required would be 10 hours, or a bill of
>>>> $910
>>>> at the quoted rate. Even going to 15 hours would be only $1,365, but
>>>> that seems very high to me.
>>>>
>>>> Now that I think of it, if they couldn't do the job in 10 hours or less,
>>>> I
>>>> would question their experience.
>>>>
>>>> Of course, you know the best course of action now is to quickly get
>>>> several
>>>> more estimates.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --James--
>>>>
>>> That's the problem, all I've been hearing all day is "Sorry we don't give
>>> estimates over the phone. <click>" Hmm.
>> So I give you an estimate over the phone of fifty dollars to install your
>> replacement kitchen fixture. I arrive and you present me with a ceiling
>> fan that you expect to have installed for the aforementioned fifty
>> dollars. The existing, sixty year old, three and one half inch, round,
>> ear less, box offers no way to support a new lighting fixture, let alone a
>> ceiling fan but you expect me to replace the box with one listed for fan
>> support, do all my own cut patch and clean up, assemble and install a
>> ceiling fan, all for fifty dollars. If I gave telephone estimates; which
>> I do not; I would tell you that it is a time and materials job not to
>> exceed five hundred dollars excluding the cost of any new wiring needed in
>> your home. You would call me a name and hang up.
>>
>> I recently gave a family an estimate of $2000 for a heavy up from 150 to
>> 400 amperes specifically at the existing service location. I excluded
>> compliance with any unpublished portion of the utilities tariffs. The
>> power company would not supply service to the existing meter location
>> after the county electrical inspector had signed off on the completed
>> work. Would you expect me to extend the service entry conductors, provide
>> and install main lug kits and main breaker enclosures, and provide
>> temporary service disconnect for the existing supply without any
>> additional compensation? Just what are my kids supposed to eat that week?
>> --
>> Tom Horne
>>
>
>
> It doesn't seem unreasonable to get a base estimate ahead of time to me. We
> aren't talking about a $100 job, we're talking a potentially multi-thousand
> dollar task. People don't have that kind of money floating around. As the
> person paying, I fully feel entitled to know that ahead of time - otherwise
> how do you know I'll be able to pay you? There's nothing wrong with asking
> over the phone for an estimate of the costs.
>
> You don't go to a car dealership, take a test drive, have the salesman show
> you the works, get to sign the paperwork, then look at the price and walk
> away - "sorry I can't afford this." You need to have a reasonable idea of
> what it costs first. How do is that accomplished you ask????? TV ads,
> sticker in the window, website, etc.
>
> As to your question, I would expect to pay you for the work you did,
> irregardless of what you quoted me. I think you get the impression I'm
> penny pinching or trying to cheat someone here - not at all. But even if I
> was, what do you care - you're gonna charge what you're gonna charge
> regardless of whether or not I'm wheelin' and dealin'. Isn't it in your
> best interest to be forthright with your rates and estimates ahead of time,
> if only because it wards off the skinflints?
>
> Doesn't matter to me now, I already have a contractor picked out and am
> going to set something up with him on Thursday. Why did I pick him, I know
> his company from previous work they did for my employer AND BECAUSE HE GAVE
> ME A ROUGH ESTIMATE OVER THE PHONE. He politely understood why I was
> asking.
>
>
I know that this may seem quarrelsome but I do not see how any estimate
for electrical work given over the phone will not either under price the
job or raise false expectations for what is included. I simply cannot
imagine giving a price on a job sight unseen.
--
Tom Horne
Well we aren't no thin blue heroes and yet we aren't no blackguards to.
We're just working men and woman most remarkable like you.
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